Antiknock or detonation dampening device



Sept 10, 1946. HE. CROZER Em 2,407,478

ANTIKNOCK OR DETONATIO DAMPENING DEVICE Filed Marcnzo, 1944 alsopermitting the use of Patented Sept. 10, 1946 ANTIKNocx on nE'roNATIoNDAMPENING DEVICE Harold E. Crozier and .Albert G. H. Vanderpoel,

Hawthorne, Calfr Application March 20, 1944, Serial No. 527,252

2 claims. (c1. '12s-25) Our invention relates generally to internalcombustion engines and more particularly to simple and efficient meansfor counteracting and dampening detonation or engine knockf and theprincipal object of our invention is to provide simple and efcientautomatic means for introducing steam vapor to the carburetor to mixwith the combustible gaseous mixture drawn into the cylinders.

The steam vapor when entering the combustion chamber acts as a coolantduring the explosion cycle and its expansion throughthe differential intemperature will act as a cushion or dampener respectively producing agas of its own to further assist combustion, so that detonation, morefamiliarly known as an engine knock is thus eliminated.

It may readily be seen that with a device of this kind, highercompression ratios can be utilized materializing more power and fueleconomy and lower grade fuels.

Further objects of our invention are, to provide a device of thecharacter referred to, having a simple and effective steam generator,constructed so as to` be conveniently mounted on the exhaust manifold ofthe engine and thus be heated by the exhaust gases passing through saidmanifold and further, to provide means for utilizing the velocity of theair entering the carburetor for regulating theamount of steam to correctproportions for all engine speeds and throttle positions.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, our invention consists incertain novel features of construction and arrangement of parts whichwill be hereinafter more fully described and claimed and illustrated inthe accompanying drawing in which:

Fig. 1 is an elevation view partly in section and showing the deviceassociated with the air lter, carburetor and exhaust manifold of aninternal combustion engine.

Fig'. 2 is an enlarged horizontal sectionl taken on the line 2-2 of Fig.1.

Fig. 3 is a vertical section taken through the center of the steamgenerator.

Fig. 4 is a horizontal section taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a detail section of a oat actuated valve for controlling theflow of water to the steam generator.

Referring by numerals to the accompanying drawing which illustrates apreferred embodiment of our invention, I6 designates the upper portionof a conventional carburetor, I I the'air filter associated therewith,I2 the exhaust manifold and I3 with `a spiralv duct in its upperportion, said Lduct being closed Aby a cover screws 22 pass through carson the cover plate into ceptacle 23 a source of water supply which maybe the water jacket of the engine or the radiator.

Connecting the carburetor with the air filter is a collar I4 in thecenter of which is a short vertically disposed tube I5 having a Venturipassageway I6, said tube being connected to the wall of collar by anarrow web I1 through which is formed a duct I8 the inner end of whichcommunicates with the center of the Venturi I6.

vThe steam generator includes a metal disc I9 plate 2I. Bolts or themanifold, thereby securing the generator thereto.

Thus with the cover secured on the disc, the duct 20 provides anelongated steam generating chamber.

Secured to cover plate 2I and leading from the inner end of duct 20 tothe cuter end of duct I8 is a conduit 22. As a result of thisarrangement the steam or moist vapor from the generator enters thecarburetor at a point in advance of its main nozzle. A small tank. orcontainer 23 is located below the source of water supply I3, and locatedin the bottom of said tank is a valve housing 24 provided in its upperend with an inlet 25 which is normally c.osed by a downwardly openingcheck valve 26. A stem 21 connects valve 26 to a float 28 within tank23.

Leading from the source of water supply I3 to the lower portion of valvehousing 24 is a conduit 29 in which is located a valve 30.

Leading from the lower portion of tank 23 to the outer end of duct 20 inthe steam generator is a conduit 3|, the flow of water through which iscontrolled by a valve 32 actuated by a conventional thermostat 33located on exhaust manifold I2 adjacent the steam generator.

Through the action of oat actuated valve 26, a constant supply of wateris maintained in reand under a predetermined degree of heat from theexhaust products of combustion passing through manifold I2, thermostat33 will open valve 32, thereby permitting water to flow through conduit3I into duct 20 in disc I9, which latter isA also heated by the productsof combustion passing through the exhaust manifold. Thus, the Waterowing through the elongated duct in the disc I9 will be heated and nallyconverted into steam which is drawn through conduit 22, and thencethrough duct I8 to unite and mix with the air drawn through the venturiand such air enters the carburetor to unite with the liquid hydrocarbonto form an exceptionally efx) fective and powerful gaseous fuel for theengine.

The addition of moisture in vapor form, to the gaseous fuel drawn intothe combustion chambers of the engine, materially increases the poweroutput counteracts the formation of carbon in the combustion chambersand assures smooth running of said engine- The steam generatorcomprising disc I9 and cover 20 is directly attached to the exhaustmanifold and has a relatively large heating area with a small waterspace thus insuring the rapid and effective generation of steam whilethe device is in operation. Y

vl'loat actuated valve insures a constant supply of water in receptacle23, valve 32 regulates the flow of generator and passageway I6 regulatesthe amount of steam to correct proportions in relation to engine speedsand throttle position.

Thus it will be seen that We have provided an anti-knock or detonationdampening device which is simple in structure, inexpensive ofmanufacture, exceptionally economical in point of fuel consumption,capable of being readily used in connection with practically allinternal combustion engines, and said device being very effective inperforming the function for which it is intended.

It Will be understood that minor changes in the size, form andconstruction of the various parts of our anti-knock or detonationdampening device may be made and substituted for those whilethermostatic water to the steam Y duct.

herein shown and described without departing from the spirit of theinvention, the scope of which is set forth in the appended claims.

We claim as our invention:

1. The combination with an internal combustion engine, its exhaustmanifold, carburetor, and an air filter, of a collar connecting saidlter and carburetor, a venturi axially located in said collar, the wallof said collar being provided with a duct, the inner end of whichcommunicates with the center of said Venturi, a receptacle, iioatactuated valvular means associated with said receptacle for maintaininga constant supply of Water therein, a heater mounted on the exhaustmanifold and provided with a tortuous passageway, duct leading from saidreceptacle to one end of said passageway and a duct leading from theother end of said passageway to the outer end of the duct that leads tosaid venturi.

2. In an anti-knock or detonating dampening device, the combination withan air lter and a carburetor, of a collar connecting said filter andcarburetor, a member disposed concentrically within said collar andprovided with a venturi, a narrow radial web connecting the wall of saidcollar with said member, said member provided With a duct, the inner endof which communicates with the center of said venturi and means forsupplying steam to the end of said HAROLD E. CROZIER. ALBERT G. H.VANDERPOEL.

